Sunday, September 26, 2010

India has offered to hold talks with Kashmiris and review its heavy security presence in the Himalayan region in an attempt to bring under control a wave of separatist unrest.

The proposals were part of an eight-point plan put forward on Saturday by Palaniappan Chidamabaram, the Indian interior minister, after he led an all-party mission to the disputed Muslim-majority region.

"The government of India will appoint a group of interlocutors under an eminent person to begin the process of a sustained dialogue" with a wide swathe of Kashmiris, including political and youth groups, he said.

More than 100 people have been killed since early June as stone-throwing protesters have clashed with security forces. The civilian demonstrations have been the largest since an armed uprising against Indian rule in 1989.

Most of the victims, many in them in their teens, have been killed in live firing by police and paramilitary troops, while others have been hit by tear-gas shells or rubber bullets.

The recent protests were ignited on June 11 by the death of a 17-year-old student hit by a tear-gas shell during a clash with police. Since then Indian-administered Kashmir has been paralysed by demonstrations, strikes and strict curfews imposed to stem the unrest.

Heavily militarised

The Congress-led government has been accused in the Indian media of letting the situation spiral out of control and the eight-point plan is the first major initiative to deal with the clashes.

Chidambaram said the state government would be told to immediately free some 255 protesters jailed for throwing stones at security forces and compensate the families of the dead protesters.

Authorities will also consider reducing the security presence in the heavily militarised Kashmir valley, the hub of separatist sentiment.

In particular, Chidambaram said, officials would look at reducing the large number of security checkpoints that are deeply resented by locals.

"We will request the state government to immediately convene a meeting of the [security] Unified Command and to review the deployment of security forces in Kashmir valley, especially Srinagar," he said.

Chidambaram also said authorities would review the many areas of Kashmir listed as "disturbed", a category that allows application of the detested Armed Forces Special Powers Act giving security forces wide powers to open fire, detain suspects and confiscate property.

Rights groups have long pushed for repeal of the act to reduce public anger.

"We think these steps should address the concerns of different sections of Jammu and Kashmir, including [those of] the protesters," Chidambaram said.

Separatist reaction

Some separatists said they would meet to discuss their response.

"It will be discussed in a threadbare manner so we can give our reaction," said Yasin Malik, a veteran separatist leader.

But Syed Ali Shah Geelani, a separatist who has orchestrated the protests, said "none of our demands have been considered by government of India and the foremost among those was accepting Jammu and Kashmir as a disputed territory," the news agency Press Trust of India reported.

He called the initiative "mere eyewash" and announced a 10-day protest.

Geelani has previously laid down five conditions for a dialogue with New Delhi, including India accepting Kashmir as an international dispute, revoking the Special Powers Act and demilitarising the region.

Kashmir is divided between Pakistan and India, which each claim the region in full. The dispute over the region has triggered two of the rival nations' three wars since partition of the subcontinent in 1947.

While violence has fallen to a 20-year low, alienation of ordinary Kashmiris, especially young people, has been stoked by India's massive security presence. They have expressed their anger on social networking sites such as Facebook and by pouring into the streets.

Omar Abdullah, the chief minister of Kashmir, welcomed Chidambaram's proposals and promised to hold a meeting in the coming days to "discuss the modalities of reducing the footprints of security forces in cities".

"[I] hope this [the conciliation plan] will be the first step to the final destination of reaching a political solution to the Kashmir issue," he said.

(Malaysiakini) I reproduce below the police reports written by the Penans themselves, so that they may now have a face. The Penans are not just faceless and voiceless characters. Now they have a personality, just like you and I.

I recommend that you read the reports carefully for the Penans are great storytellers, having in their heritage a fine oral tradition. They are painstaking when it comes to details and they are eloquent in the emotive retelling of their experiences.

Until today, it is worthy to note that no one has been arrested or interrogated in relation to the reports. The excuse is that the police cannot prosecute the perpetrators of the crimes because they could not be identified.

In the end, the police reports and statutory declarations quoted here remain the only indictment of the crimes committed in the jungle.

Raped at 12

This testimony comes in the form of a signed, statutory declaration. Because the victim was a minor when the rape took place, she will simply be called 'M'.

Her father, Buet Kayan of Long Ajeng, Ulu Baram, a Malaysian citizen of about 40 years of age born in the vicinity without birth certificate, made the following statutory declaration at Miri, Sarawak in March 1995:

“Sometime in early November 1993, my wife Leren Bajau and I returned to our dwelling in Long Kerong after having gone to the forest to gather sago. We found that our daughter M, together with some other people from Long Kerong, had returned from Long Ajeng a few days earlier.

“M had gone to Long Ajeng at about the end of October 1993 to fetch rice for the family. She had travelled on foot to Long Ajeng together with Gembala (pastor) John and his wife, both of Long Kerong, and another girl named Martha (also known as Merita) from Long Ajeng.

“M is my third child and was born in April 1981. She is generally reserved and quiet. She has a lisp in her speech and does not speak much. My wife and I have 10 children still living, including M.

“About two or three days after we returned from the forest, M told my wife and I that she had been raped in Long Mobui while en route to Long Ajeng from Long Kerong. She was sad and depressed and cried while relating her experience. She had been afraid to tell us what had happened to her for fear that my wife and I would be angry.

“M said that she had been raped at night by two men in the house of Datu Abeng, the son of the ketua kampung of Long Mobui. She said one of the rapists was of big build and had a big stomach. She said that she had struggled, screamed and cried while she was being raped but nobody came to help her. She said she had not told anyone about the rape.

“My wife and I were shocked. We consoled her and told her we were grateful she had not been injured or killed by the rapists...” read the declaration.

“My wife and I did not tell anybody about the rape until August 1994. We did not know what to do about the matter, or to whom we should report. We finally told Balang Tui (of Long Ajeng) when we heard that some Penan leaders were going to Kuching to make a police report on problems faced by our community. A police report was made on Sept 30, 1994 at the Kuching Central Police Station.

“On March 22, 1995, M made a police report, Miri Central Police Station and gave a statement to the police in Miri regarding her rape in Long Mobui. I also gave a statement to the police,” it concluded.

Nobody has ever been arrested in connection with M's case. At the time of writing, M has remained single and she is now 29-years-old, living with her kin somewhere near her village in Ulu Baram.

4-year-old killed by tear-gas

Bulan Yoh of Long Mobui, Baram made the following statutory declaration regarding the death of her 4-year-old son Sonny Laot:

“...We are currently living in Long Kerong, Baram. We have six children now living. Five of my children have died, including Sonny Laot who was my youngest child. Sonny was 4 years old when he died on Oct 6 1993.

“Sonny was hospitalised in Marudi hospital for about a month in August/September 1993. He was operated on for a swelling on his neck below his left ear. He recovered fully and my husband and I took him back to the Sebatu blockade site. There he actively played with the other children and was eating normally and in general good health.

“On the second day of our arrival at Sebatu, the tear-gassing and dismantling of the blockade took place. At about 10am that day, a large number of Police Field Force (PFF) personnel and other police personnel wearing red helmets with visors and carrying shields, whom I believe to be from the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU), were seen advancing towards the blockade.

“They were accompanying some officers from the Forest Department and some workers from the logging company that operates in the area. I believe there were more than 300 police personnel present.

“Some men at the blockade went some distance down the road with the intention of negotiating with the police. But they were immediately arrested upon coming into contact with the Police.

“The PFF personnel continued their advance and the large group of men who had followed close behind their representatives retreated towards the blockade. When the PFF were about 100 metres from the blockade, they started arresting people in the group.

“My husband was among this group of men. I saw him being arrested. His arms were forcibly held behind his back by four PFF personnel. I heard him shouting as if he was in pain. I ran towards my husband to help him.

“At that moment the PFF started throwing tear-gas canisters at the group without any warning and without any provocation from the group. At the same time those PFF personnel that were armed with M-16 rifles surrounded the area around the blockade.

“I was afraid for my children whom I had left in our lamin (an open-walled temporary hut, raised about six feet above the ground) located about 100 metres from the blockade. In our lamin were Sonny (4 years old), Rose (7-8 years) and Stella (6-7 years). My grandchild Joit Abut (5-6 years) was also in the hut.

“As I made my way towards our lamin, I saw the PFF throw tear-gas canisters towards the lamins of the people. Some of them landed near our lamin. The gas drifted towards the lamin and enveloped the area. People ran away from the gas. As I tried to get back to our lamin the PFF tried to prevent me and the other people from getting to the lamin. It took me a long time to reach our lamin.

“When I finally arrived at our lamin, there was tear-gas all around and inside. I was choking from the gas. I rushed inside and found only Sonny there. He was crying, coughing and vomiting from the effects of the tear gas.

“I took him out of the lamin and went into the nearby forest, to get away from the gas. Sonny was vomiting badly. I tried giving him some water but he drank only a little.

“That night, I sheltered with Sonny and the rest of the family in a lamin in the forest. Sonny was constantly coughing and vomiting and could hardly eat or drink.

The next day we set off on foot for Long Kerong with the other families from the blockade as we were extremely fearful of the police. On the journey Sonny's condition deteriorated. We only had some Panadol for medication.

“We travelled for five days in the forest and reached Long Sait where we stayed with some relatives. At Long Sait, Sonny's condition continued to worsen.

“He eventually died on the third day after we arrived in Long Sait, 6 Oct 1993. We buried Sonny in Long Sait.

Another tear gas tragedy

Another victim of the show of force at a Penan blockade was Geran Ten, who passed away on Sept 8, 1994 in Long Kerong.

The police report featured the interviews of his brother Gilin Ten, 65, and another farmer Geoffery Upai Lagui, 33 from Long Kerong.

Geran was born in Long Kerong, part of a family of four brothers and sisters. He was married with no children.

Before the blockade in Long Mobui, Geran had stayed in Long Ajeng for some time. His land is in Long Kerong.

It is suspected that tear-gas thrown by the PFF personnel while dismantling the blockade at Long Mobui was the main cause of his death.

Gilin says he was with Geran when the police charged at the Penan manning the blockade. Gilin was about 100 meters from the hut where Geran was resting. At that time, Geran was a little sick with fever but it was not serious, and he continued to participate in all the activities at the blockade site with the others.

Gilin says as the police started firing tear-gas at the people, he saw some being thrown underneath the hut where Geran was resting. He then saw his brother emerge, vomiting as he descended the staircase.

Gilin rushed to help his brother but was restrained by the police as he reached a worship hut half way to where Geran was. He could see Geran appearing weak and vomiting continuously.

In the pandemonium nobody was helping Geran. They were either prevented from reaching their huts, or running away from the smoke that was proving extremely irritating. When the smoke got thicker, he could not see Geran anymore. Irritated by the smoke, Gilin rushed to a stream nearby to wash his face.

When he returned about half an hour later, the police had left and it was raining very heavily. The huts were completely destroyed and he could not find Geran.

The people started returning to the site and about 30 temporary sheds were put up. It was getting dark and the rain was still very heavy. Geran returned at that time and he was coughing badly. Gilin boiled some water for Geran to drink, hoping that it would help stop his coughing but it did not.

Gungho police and indifferent doctors

The next morning, a helicopter flew over the blockade site and a group of armed soldiers came to the sheds. They searched to see if anything was being hidden. They did not destroy the sheds this time.

That evening, after the soldiers had left, people started leaving the site.

Gilin and Geran left together. After walking for only half a mile, Geran complained that he was too weak to walk. Gilin then erected a small shed and both of them stayed there for the night.

Geran was coughing badly and complained of stomach-ache. There was white stuff coming out from his mouth when he coughed. He began to have a lot of blisters on his lips and he could not eat. He felt weak and was visibly losing weight.

Because Geran was too weak to walk a long distance, Gilin had to erect a shed for him to rest and sleep after walking a short distance each day. They spent ten days in the jungle before they reached Long Kerong. Normally, it takes less than two days to walk the distance..

When they first arrived in Long Kerong, they stayed in a good friend, Bala Kadir's house. Geran's wife also arrived, following another group.

After staying with Bala for two weeks, Geran's health had deteriorated. He could not eat anything at all; when he did, he vomited. Panadol was the only medicine that the local villagers could get for him.

When the flying doctors came to Long Kerong, they refused to walk the short distance (about 40 meters away) to see him. Some villagers had tried to carry Geran to see the doctors but any small movement of his body caused him so much pain that they didn't persist.

Geoffery was away when Geran arrived in Long Kerong. When he returned, he immediately went to see him when the villagers told him that Geran was very sick.

He corroborated Gilin's account of his brother's condition. He helped administer some medicine for rehydration and for gastric that the flying doctors had prescribed.

He says during the time when Geran was in Long Kerong, the flying doctors visited the community three times. Geoffery tried to persuade the doctors to see Geran, explaining how moving him caused him great pain, but the doctors were not sympathetic. They just asked about his health condition and left some medicine.

Two days before he passed away, Geran was unconscious. The villagers helped to move him into Bala's house because a lot of the villagers came and wanted to pray for his recovery.

He passed away after midnight. Before he died, he told his brother to keep his parang and his gun, and not to throw them away.

Gilin is very sad because the government has done nothing to investigate the death of his brother. He is still angry with the flying doctors for refusing to attend to Geran, even though they were informed of his critical condition.

Racism seems to be stirring Malaysia badly where it is the day after day talk of the town. Every single disaster involving different ethnics is being manipulated as a racist agenda by many.

The recent ghastly murders of cosmetic entrepreneur Dato Sosilawati and her three aides have sparked anger among Malays. Abusive words such as kelling, paria, India bodoh and so on have been bashed to the Indian community here.

Internet blogs and social network pages are created in quest of righteousness for the deceased but abusive and vulgar expressions towards the Indians are posted instead. These pages and blogs have followers whom are Malays, numbering in tens of thousands.

This is an act of immaturity and it is not Malaysian culture.

Non Malays have been tolerant and respecting the Malay culture for decades. There were a string of brutal murders where the killers were Malays but the peace loving non Malays respected the law and left the fate of the killers to the hands of the Malaysian judiciary.
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Al-Maunah members charged in court

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In July 2000 Al Maunah, a Malay extremist group cruelly murdered two non Malays hostages one detective corporal Saghadevan from the Royal Malaysian Police Special Branch and another Royal Malaysian Army personnel Trooper Matthews Anak Medan. The duo were tortured to death without mercy by this group. The Indians and the Sarawakians did not make this a racial issue.

On June 14th 2003, IT analyst Canny Ong Lay Kian was rapped, stabbed and torched to death by aircraft cleaning supervisor Ahmad Najib Aris but the Chinese community did not turn this rape cum murder into a racial setback.

Weeks before the murder of the cosmetic tycoon and her assistants, the cold blooded murders of two Indian security guards by their Malay colleague due to a small misunderstanding also did not spark any racial sentiment from the Indian society.

These are only a few examples of cruel murders by Malay perpetrators and they were proven guilty by the judiciary system and sent to the gallows. The non Malays did not rent and rave against the Malays.

This is indeed evidence of patience and tolerance by the non Malays.

In the case of the aesthetic products magnate and her assistants, those detained are only SUSPECTS and not proven guilty by the court of law. This raises doubts from minorities in Malaysia of the unnecessary ruckus and rage by the Malays.

Although their action are believed to be politically provoked, Malays should restrain themselves from being the cause of any unwanted incidents in the name of race and religion which can possibly lead to further damage of this nation.

This nation has been blessed with serenity and harmony for eons. Please do not be the sacrificial sheep or a tool to malevolence plan by some politically inclined perpetrators with their motive to disrupt our unity for their political gains.

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 25 — Tamilmani or P. Veerasamy, the journalist who hounded former MIC deputy president Datuk S. Subramaniam and his camp since March with numerous exposes of a seedy and sexual nature in the Tamil Nesan newspaper, has been given the boot, Tamil Nesan sources said.

However, supporters of Tamilmani, contacted by The Malaysian Insider, say his six-month contract with Tamil Nesan, a newspaper owned by the family of MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, had expired.

“He is leaving, not booted out,” his supporters said.

However, Klang businessman K.P. Samy, who was one of the Subramaniam supporters who came under attack by Tamilmani, said: “What we hear is that he has been sacked.”

The man who can clarify the issue, Tamil Nesan CEO Vel Paari, the son of Samy Vellu, has been in Australia for the past three months and could not be reached for comment.

Whatever the case — booted out or contract expired — Subramaniam and his camp have won a respite from the relentless attacks from Tamilmani, who was a Subramaniam supporter for 28 years but switched camp to Samy Vellu and started the daily broadsides on Subramaniam.

In an interview earlier, Tamilmani, 61, said he went to jail for Subramaniam but the former deputy never visited him in Pudu Jail or expressed gratitude for his sacrifices.

“I was angry at such ingratitude and that’s why I joined forces with Samy Vellu,” he had said.

His departure also signals an end to the war between Tamil Nesan and its rival Makkal Osai, which is owned by Subramaniam’s cronies.

He was jailed in 1997 for contempt of court because he continued to attack Samy Vellu as a “community thief” even after a court barred him from using those terms.

He was freed after 46 days in Pudu Jail following a successful appeal in the Court of Appeal.

After his fallout with Subramaniam, Tamilmani worked at various independent but heavily political and fortnight Tamil publications but all of them eventually shut down for lack of financial backing.

Subsequently, after the Pakatan Rakyat came to power he leaned towards the new coalition, working with several monthly newspapers but that too did not take off because of fierce competition from the three traditional Tamil dailies that dominate the small Tamil newspaper readership market.

In March, Subramaniam’s camp received a shock went Tamilmani reappeared in the Tamil political world as a special editor of Tamil Nesan that he had engaged in a war nearly all his life.

He leaves Tamil Nesan under a cloud and his supporters say he might reappear as editor-in-chief of a new Tamil daily owned by a Penang-based financial group.

PASIR MAS, Sept 25 — Perkasa chief Datuk Ibrahim Ali gave a stern warning today to three Umno leaders to stop criticising the Malay right-wing group or risk having their secrets revealed.

Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Mansor, Khairy Jamaluddin and Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz have been very vocal in condemning Perkasa for eroding Barisan Nasional’s (BN) support from among the non-Malay electorate.

The Pasir Mas MP said he knows the leaders very well and asked them to reconcile with Perkasa.

“I know that these three Umno leaders are not talking on behalf of Umno’s president. I can tell you who is Khairy Jamaluddin, Nazri Aziz, Tengku Adnan Mansor because I know their DNA. If I reveal their DNA then we will continue our fighting so let it stop here.

“Don’t be angry at them. Don’t be angry at the government. We are gentlemen. If they want insult then let them,” he told the audience during a Perkasa rally here.

Ibrahim (picture) questioned why the three consider Perkasa as Umno’s rival as it is only a non-governmental organisation and not a political party.

“On September 3, I met Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak at his office and talked with him for one hour. Two days later, the prime minister gave a statement asking no party to question the constitution and the social contract.

“However, Umno secretary-general (Tengku Adnan) released a statement, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Nazri Aziz also gave a statement and before that there was a statement by a black child, the Umno Youth chief (Khairy). They insult Perkasa for no reason,” he added.

He also denied Perkasa was working with Umno because the group has never formally met with the party.

“We have never met with Umno formally. I only met Datuk Seri Najib Razak as the prime minister and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as the deputy prime minister because they are the government and do not represent Umno,” he said.

Khairy had raised concerns that BN would lose non-Malay support if it does not immediately disassociate itself from Perkasa.

The Umno Youth chief said there was a perception now to affiliate Umno with Perkasa, and this was “hurting” BN’s bid to gain non-Malay votes which severely dwindled in the last general election.

While Nazri had declared that the Umno did not support or recognise the Malay rights group, he said Umno was against any form of racism and that Perkasa’s ideals did not fit in the Najib administration’s focus on plurality and unity.

Tengku Adnan also recently said his BN counterparts had agreed that distancing the ruling coalition from Perkasa was the best way forward to halt the erosion of non-Malay support for BN.

He added that Umno would not back the strident Malay rights group or Ibrahim in the next general election.

Tengku Adnan, however, denied stating that BN had to distance itself from Perkasa after Najib said that Umno did not want to stir conflict with any non-governmental organisation despite the recent move by Umno leaders to rebuff the Malay rights group.

Ibrahim also urged the MCA and MIC to carry out their duty to restore support instead of blaming Perkasa.

“The leader of MCA and MIC should perform their job and get back the support and trust of the people.

“If the MCA and MIC lose the Chinese and Indians votes then they should not blame Perkasa but themselves,” said.

The former prime minister told a Perkasa rally here that the state’s Mentri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat was willing to jeopardise PAS’s Islamic philosophy for political expediency.

“Nowadays Nik Aziz allows everything. If a person wants to raise a pig farm next to Malay house, he said that it is permissible because the Quran only forbids us to eat pork. Willingness to allow what the opposition party is doing has caused Nik Aziz to make interpretations which are against Islamic teachings,” he said at the Perkasa rally held a few kilometres from the state capital Kota Baru.

More than 5,000 people waited under the scorching sun at the car park of the Pasir Mas railway station, with buses bringing supporters from Perak, Terengganu and Selangor.

Banners praising Dr Mahathir as a national hero were put up around the station as organisers distributed Perkasa headwear and the Malay right-wing group’s paper Suara Perkasa.

The former Umno president said the Malays are not aware of the political threat facing them and blamed power-hungry politicians for the dire state of the community.

“I am saddened because the Malay people are not aware of the threat that faces them. Today, the Malays are divided into three groups (PAS, PKR, Umno) and not one group can obtain a percentage of Malay votes that can give a win for the community.

“The reason why the Malays are split today is because there is a person who is obsessed in becoming the prime minister. He does not care and will support everything which is racist,” he said.

Dr Mahathir ridiculed PAS leaders, claiming that they are Muslims first and Malay second.

“There are also those who are ashamed in being Malay. They say that are only Malay by fate. They instead prefer to call themselves Muslims. Yes, we understand that they are Muslims but if they prioritise Islam then act like a Muslim.

“But today they are not willing to work with other Muslims especially in Umno. Instead they support people that used to say that we must cross their dead body to make this an Islamic country,” he said, referring to DAP chairman Karpal Singh’s comment that PAS has to cross over his “dead body” to set up an Islamic state.

He also condemned Nik Aziz’s willingness to forego the party’s Islamic principles in order to appease the DAP.

“However, leaders who used to ridicule Islam in Umno are now allowing everything because they want support. Until things which are not accepted by us, he (Nik Aziz) is willing to allow because he wants to get support from this opposition party,” he said.

He added that PAS’s co-operation with the DAP has led to Nik Aziz to make decisions which are un-Islamic.

“Because of this, the Malay community is split between Umno and PAS. When Umno wants to reunite the Malay community in one movement, they reject it. Instead they are willing to work with those who threatened their religion,” he said.

Dr Mahathir stressed that the Islamist party was willing to work with the “enemies of Islam” to capture federal power in the coming general election.

“Race has been push aside and religious practice relaxed so that they can co-operate with those that are clearly the enemies of Islam. This is the result of politics from someone who is too eager in becoming the government,” he said.

Dr Mahathir continued by criticising his own party, Umno, for becoming a puppet to other communities.

“Today, the Malays are divided into three teams (Umno, PKR, PAS) and these teams have worked hard to attract the support from the other communities. This is okay but when they are willing to become puppets in the government that is only represented by Muslims in name but they have to follow whatever orders from the other races. They are willing to seize the rights promised to the Malays,” he said.

He also couldn’t resist taking a swipe at his main detractor in the Najib administration, Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz.

“Please tell Nazri that I have no intention in becoming the prime minister. He only became a minister because of me. People like this when we feed them rice, they will bite our hand. This is the type of leaders we have today,” he said to the applause of the crowd.

Today is also Dr Mahathir’s first visit to Kelantan since he was sprayed with a chemical irritant at Sultan Ismail Petra Airport in Pengkalan Chepa four years ago.

The former premier remains popular and has had a musical produced about his life. The musical started in Kuala Lumpur last night for a two-week run.

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 25 — A finance clerk and her four-year-old daughter were found dead on a bed in a hotel room in Goh Tong Jaya in Genting Highlands at about 6pm yesterday.

Hulu Selangor district police chief Supt Norel Azmi Yahya Affandi said Woo Wian Kian, 36, was believed to have killed her daughter before committing suicide based on a note left by her on a table in the hotel room.

“In the note, Wian Kian wrote, ‘I can no longer go on with this life. Thank you to you, as a husband and for elder sister, mother is old, take good care of her’,” he said through SMS to the media today.

Norel Azmi said during inspection at the scene, police found ash from burnt paper and charcoal in the bathroom of the hotel room where Woo had stayed with her daughter.

“Based on the initial investigation, the ventilation openings of the bathroom were covered with newspapers. We believe she (Woo) had locked her daughter in the bathroom until the child suffocated in the smoke.

“She is believed to then place her lifeless daughter on the bed before killing herself,” he said, adding that dark ash marks were found on the soles of their feet.

He said police have classified the cases as sudden deaths and the bodies of the mother and daughter were sent to Sungai Buloh Hospital. — Bernama

KUALA LANGAT: Police today brought in a bulldozer intoLadang Gadong, Banting to carry out digging works at two new sites at the farm where the Banting murders were alleged to have taken place.

It is learnt that one of the sites was located within the farm belonging to one of the suspects, while the other was located outside.

Police obtained leads to the location of the two sites after the four suspects in the Banting murders were brought to the farm about 4pm, and about half-an-hour later, a bulldozer was seen entering the area.

However, digging works at the two sites would only be done tomorrow as all police vehicles, including a van carrying the suspects, left the area about 6.45pm.

Police found out that they had been killed, their bodies burnt and the ashes thrown into rivers in the vicinity of Sungai Gadong, Tanjung Sepat, near Banting, Selangor.

One of the suspects in the case was also linked to the disappearance of several individuals, including a businessman from India, Allal Kanthan Muthuraja, 34, and a contractor from Kedah, Shafik Abdullah, 37, and his friend.

Muthuraja was reported missing after arriving in Malaysia last Jan 18, while Shafik and his friend were reported missing five months ago.

They went missing allegedly after meeting the suspect.

Meanwhile in KUALA LUMPUR, the three main suspects, including the two lawyer brothers, have been re-arrested for investigation into the murder of Muthuraja.

Bukit Aman Crime Investigation Department deputy director, Hadi Ho Abdullah, said police would apply for an order to remand them tomorrow.

PETALING JAYA: In August 2009, philanthropist Koon Yew Yin offered to donate RM30 million to Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (Utar) to build hostels with recreational facilities at its Kampar campus in Perak.

But there has been no response from Utar to the generous gesture. Koon, 77, then withdrew his offer on Sept 12, this year.

However, on Sept 13, Utar's board of trustees and council said it did not accept the RM30 million donation because of the "many conditions (imposed) such as setting up a foundation where he (Koon) will be chairman and be in full control over the spending of his money".

Then on Sept 14, Utar issued a statement saying it did not turn down Koon's offer but was still discussing it.

But Koon, who called for a press conference here yesterday, rubbished the claim he wanted to exercise full control over his money.

"Ever since I made my written RM30 million donation offer on Aug 18 last year, the Utar authorities have been using various means to delay accepting my offer. Now they have informed the public that the delay is because I want full control over the spending of my money," said Koon.

"This is factually incorrect and misleading. Even if I had wanted control, common sense would dictate that I should have some control. But I did not say that," he said.

“So, what is the true reason (for not accepting my offer)?” asked Koon, the founder of three leading development companies -- IJM Corporation Bhd, Gamuda Bhd and Mudajaya Group Bhd.
He suspects that the truth has to do with “those real estate developers Utar is protecting”.

"It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out ," said Koon, a retired chartered engineer.
"The public must demand that MCA and the Utar authorities explain why the latter is protecting the real estate developers who are making unprecedented profits (building the campus). Who's pocket did all the money go to?" asked Koon, who declined to name the developers.

A check by FMT showed that tin-mining tycoon-turned-developer Hew See Tong owned huge portion of properties in Kampar, which are near the campus. Hew is also a former MCA Kampar MP and adviser to UTAR (for planning and development).

Puzzling and disrespectful

What riles Koon is that the Kampar Utar does not have a single hostel within its campus, thus forcing students to find off-campus accommodation.

"It is unthinkable for any self-respecting university not to have adequate accommodations. All these years, why have they no plans to build hostels? Why are students forced to stay outside?" asked Koon's architect, Lee Thean Hock, who had previously volunteered architectural work to build the hostels for free.

Koon's trustee Lim Teck Ghee said: "It's not every Sunday that someone makes such an offer (RM30 million). It's quite remarkable. He (Koon) is not expecting any kind of reward. Under these circumstances, you would expect any organisation to grab it. But Utar is dragging its feet."

"To observers, it is not only puzzling but disrespectful. Some may say it's due to incompetence or even, stupidity," said Lim, who is also Centre for Policy Initiative director.

Koon said that after waiting patiently for more than six months since his initial offer, he received an invitation to meet the Utar authorities on March 1, this year. The meeting was held at the Kampar campus.

"At that meeting, I agreed to allow Utar to have control over the donation and project as shown in my final written offer," said Koon, who had amended the terms of his donation in response to suggestions by Chuah.

Chuah had proposed two clauses that gave Utar four members in a seven-member task force to monitor the spending of the RM30 million. Koon was also to be an adviser who could appoint three other members.

"I accepted these new conditions, which proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that I was prepared to allow Utar control over the spending of my money.

“My role was to be as adviser and not to be the chairman and be in full control as alleged. There is no power there, only an advisory role.

“The most crucial point was that they wanted four members in the committee, and I agreed,” said Koon.

He said that after the meeting ended on an optimistic note, he was given the impression that the acceptance of his donation was a formality and that it would be quickly acted upon.

"I waited more than a year for Utar's reply but in vain. Any donor in any part of the world would have lost his patience. As a result, I withdrew my offer."

"Utar's refusal to accept my RM30 million donation for building hostels within the campus is so ridiculous. As a result, thousands of students and parents will suffer and they will not forget that the MCA controls Utar," said Koon, who also said he planned to find another worthy charity cause to channel the RM30 million.

'Are you joking'

Koon also questioned why MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek had declared that he preferred not to get involved in this Utar cause.

Asked why he had imposed conditions at all when he could have let the university have a free hand to run the show, he said: "Do you know who's the chairman of Utar and others who are from the MCA? Do you feel comfortable to give RM30 million to them... do whatever they want with my money...?"
Koon, who declared that he was no politician but simply someone who wanted to do charity, was appalled that Utar "continues to ignore the pressing issue of the housing needs of the students".
On whether he would still consider extending his offer to Utar again, he said: "Are you joking?"
Currently, there are about 12,500 students in Kampar and the student population is increasing at about 2,000 every year. On average, each student is paying about RM2,000 on rental accomodation a year.

The Perak government gave 1,300 acres of land to develop the Kampar campus. Work started in 2003 and the first intake was in 2007. Up till now only about 200 acres have been used.

At the start of every semester, the students would individually have to secure their own accommodation. At present, the 9,500 Utar students enrolled in the main Perak campus are living in various rented houses in Kampar.

Koon had offered his donation after he received confirmation that Utar has no plans to build hostels. He attached one proviso: all the net profit from rents will go towards building more hostels. No part of the profits will accrue to him.

This year, Koon has allocated a RM1 million scholarship to poor Utar students.The following is my (Koon's) original donation offer made on Aug 18, 2009:Proposed hostel development within Utar campus, KamparI wish to donate RM30 million to Utar for a hostel development within the Utar campus on the following conditions:

I solemnly declare that all the benefits derived from this hostel development are only for Utar in Kampar and not for my personal gain.

A foundation to be set up under the control of a board of directors with me as chairman and four directors to be appointed by Utar council with my approval.

The main object is to provide suitable accommodation with recreational facilities for Utar students within the campus.

The rental rate must be sustainable and competitive. The return from the investment must be able to generate a profit of at least RM1 million a year for scholarships to help poor students and additional funds for maintenance and new development. Advantages of hostel and recreational facilities within the campus:

To help students, especially new ones, to solve their immediate accommodation problem.

Hostel environment is more conducive for learning and the development of human relationships.

Currently, the 9, 500 Utar students are scattered all over Kampar and the university has practically no control over them after lectures. They are free to drink and gamble as much as they like. Moreover, they have the constant worry of their landlords kicking them out or they have to find new accommodation before the start of the next semester. Can you imagine living with this constant fear while you are burdened with lectures, examinations and financial difficulties? This situation cannot continue if the Utar council has a good alternative.

University students are always burdened with a lot of difficulties and some students will develop irreversible psychological problem. Studies have shown that living in hostel have many advantages including the reduction of dropouts.

Living in university hostel is the most pleasurable period of a student’s life. The hostel facilities will generate happiness and comradeship among fellow students. As a result, students are better prepared to face the competitive world after their graduation.

After having waited more than six months for Utar’s acceptance of my donation, on March 1, 2010 , I met Lau Yin Pin, chairman of Utar board of trustees and Professor Chuah Hean Teik, president/CEO of Utar council in Kampar, and I gave them in writing my final donation offer as follows:Final donation offer letter to Utar made on March 1, 2010Koon’s mission is to help Utar students, especially the poor ones, get access to university residential accommodation and scholarships.

All the RM30 million donation and the profit from the rental and other income must be used for building hostels and other associated residential buildings for the use of students within the campus of Utar, Kampar.

All construction contracts exceeding RM10,000 must be open to competitive tenders.

The task force is to be composed of seven members, four to be nominated by Utar and three by myself or by my nominee.

I will be appointed by Utar as adviser to the task force. The role of adviser must be spelt out and be agreeable to me. This position will be a lifelong one. Any change to be made to the position has to be sanctioned by me or by the executors of my estate.

Utar will utilise a team of people to manage the hostel on a commercial basis. The rental rate must be competitive and profitable but at the same time it should not burden the students.

Koon and his estate reserve the right to authorise Utar to use a portion of the net income to create a Koon Yew Yin Charity Foundation to help poor students by offering scholarships or loans to Utar and other needy students.

In honour of his donation, Koon wishes to have a tablet prominently displayed with these words inscribed:

Recipients of Koon Yew Yin’s scholarships and residents of Koon Yew Yin’s hostels have only to promise him that when they graduate and are financially solvent, they will help other poor people.The whole residential village is to be named Koon Yew Yin Residential Complex. Each hostel block should be named after the fundamental rights of citizens such as Liberty, Justice, Equality, Fraternity, Freedom, Integrity, etc.

KUCHING: Sarawak Chief Minister Taib Mahmud today officially announced his willingness to continue leading the state Barisan Nasional (BN) and state government.
The announcement thus ended speculation on his position following his statement on Aug 24 that he was prepared to step down if the people wanted him to.
Taib, the longest-serving chief minister after 29 years since March 26, 1981, said although some of his family members disagreed, everyone eventually understood his decision to stay on as his services were still needed by the people.
"They (family members) have agreed not to disappoint the people," he said at the Hornbill Skyway hangar, here, today.
"As for me personally, no matter what happens, I will continue to help Sarawak," he said before more than 7,000 people including state cabinet ministers, assemblymen, BN component party supporters and members of non-governmental organisations.
The 74-year-old leader, however, declined to say for how long more he would lead the state's administration but revealed that the process of forming a new team for the future was on.
Taib said it was also time for all BN component party members and supporters to counter the lies spread by the opposition which was only good at criticising every effort made by the government.
He assured the people that he would continue with the state government's vision of making Sarawak a developed state by 2020.
On Aug 24, Taib was quoted as saying that he had not decided whether to contest in the 10th state election, with the current term ending in July next year.
Taib had been Asajaya assemblyman before moving to the Balingian state constituency in 2001.- Bernama

KOTA KINABALU: Local Muslims are seeking to revive the United Sabah National Organisation (Usno) which was deregistered in 1993 purportedly to prevent it from being a threat to Umno Sabah.
The Registrar of Societies (ROS) used a complaint – that 12 delegates were allegedly not members of the party – as an excuse to de-register the party.
Pro tem president of Usno 2006, Perais Sharif Baba, is making a fresh attempt to re-register the party on the grounds that it’s not a banned movement. An application to re-register it has been pending since July 2008 when the first attempt was rejected by the ROS without any reasons whatsoever.
“We do not see any reason why the party cannot be revived to continue its struggle and safeguard the interest of Sabahans,” said Perais here yesterday. “This is the second attempt after an earlier one in 2006 was rejected in July 2008. We have been awaiting the outcome for two years without any news.”
Apparently, all their appeals to ROS in Putrajaya have been met with studied silence. They suspect that Umno Sabah has been lobbying to prevent the re-registration of Usno. This belief stems from the fact that 95% of former Usno members, some 100,000-odd, are now with Umno Sabah.
Perais pointed out that there was no reason for the ROS to reject the application to re-register Usno when even a banned organisation, Umno, was allowed to re-register itself as Umno Baru. Subsequently, the party was even allowed to call itself by the old name of Umno, he added.
The party is unhappy that three parties which applied much later than Usno – Parti Makkal Sakthi Malaysia, Parti Cinta Malaysia and Parti Sosialis Malaysia – were approved by the ROS while its attempt was rejected without any reasons whatsoever.Given the run around
The party deplored the fact that although its application was made in 2006, the reply from the ROS only came in July 2008, that is, several months after the 12th general election ended on March 8, 2008. The party, it noted, is being given the run around again with its second attempt.
“We met then Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar with our appeal after our first application was rejected,” said Perais. “Subsequently, Hamid was dropped from the cabinet. We met with his successor Hishamuddin Tun Hussein on April 23, this year.”
Earlier, before the 12th general election, Usno leaders met with the then prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. He was non-committal but the rejection note came in July 2008.
Perais said the party has requested Umno Sabah veteran Karim Ghani, formerly with Usno, to advise them on how to get their application to re-register their party approved.
Karim, said Perais, was among those who brought Umno to Sabah to help bring down the Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) government.
Karim confirmed that he had been approached by the Usno leaders who are unhappy with their “marginalisation and being sidelined by Umno”. This is a euphemism for the disenfranchisement of local Muslims, given the continuing influx of illegal immigrants getting on the electoral rolls with MyKads issued by the back door.
“Based on a state-wide survey, the majority of Usno leaders are unhappy with being marginalised and sidelined (by Umno Sabah),” said Karim. “They want Usno revived to carry on with their political struggle.”
He predicted that the chances of Usno being revived was almost zero “given the current political landscape in the country”. He could not hazard a guess what Usno leaders could do if their latest attempt to re-register the party fails.'They can do whatever they want'
Usno leaders, said Karim, would have to meet and discuss among themselves when they cross the bridge.
Karim would not be surprised if Usno leaders and their followers join Pakatan Rakyat en bloc through PKR. He declined to state his personal stand on the matter.
Karim was seen with de facto PKR chief Anwar Ibrahim in Kota Kinabalu on Aug 29. The speculation is that he discussed with Anwar the possibility of setting up a Local Muslims Task Force within Sabah PKR.
Usno was among those parties which led Sabah to independence on Aug 31, 1963. The party also went along with the formation of Malaysia on Sept 16, 1963.
The party was founded by Mustapha Harun, the Suluk chief, who became the third chief minister after the party won the 1967 state election. Usno lost power in 1976 when Berjaya won the state election that year.
Usno made way for the entry of Umno after the 1990 general election which saw PBS pulling out from the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition. Karim was sacked by Usno in 1987 for attempting to bring Umno to Sabah.
Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman was non-committal when asked by the local media on Thursday about reported attempts being made by Usno to revive itself.
“They can do whatever they want,” said Musa. “Sabah now has Umno as the leading component party in BN to look after the welfare and interests of the people.”

So no, the answer does not lie in God’s laws. In fact, God’s laws were actually the problem because it was so easy to manipulate the so-called Word of God and no one dared question the injustice lest they be accused of being anti-God.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

The PAS Youth chief, Nasrudin Hassan, wants the Islamic criminal laws known as Hudud to be implemented in the country. “The existing legal system has not been successful, so there is a need for an alternative system,” he said -- and he cited the gruesome murder of businesswoman Datuk Sosilawati Lawiya and three others as an example of the failure of the current system.

The issue here is not whether I support or oppose the enactment of Hudud. The issue is the quality of the PAS Youth leader’s argument. And if this is the best that PAS can offer in terms of leadership then I do not have much hope for this party.

First of all, PAS told us that all Islamic laws, Hudud included, would not apply to non-Muslims but only to Muslims. If this is true then why quote the example of the murder of Datuk Sosilawati Lawiya? This woman was allegedly killed by Indian Hindus, not by Malay Muslims. And since Hudud applies only to Muslims then it does not matter whether Malaysia does or does not implement these Islamic laws. It would not have deterred these Indian Hindus from killing Datuk Sosilawati Lawiya because they would have been exempted from these laws anyway.

Now, if Hudud, an Islamic law, will also apply to non-Muslims, then why only Hudud? There are many Islamic laws, Hudud being just one of them. If Hudud will apply to non-Muslims as well, then all the other Islamic laws must also apply to non-Muslims.

Will non-Muslims get arrested for drinking beer? Will non-Muslims get arrested for not attending the Friday prayers in the mosque? Will non-Muslims get arrested for bonking a woman who is not his wife? And so on.

If the answer is ‘no’, if non-Muslims are exempted from all these Islamic laws, then they should also be exempted from Hudud, which is one of many Islamic laws.

Is this fair? Non-Muslims can commit serious crimes and get exemption from Islamic laws. Muslims who commit serious crimes get punished under Islamic laws. So Muslims who commit murder get dragged into the public square after Friday prayers and get beheaded. Non-Muslims relax in jail.

So, if I get arrested and charged for murder, all I need to do is to tell the court that I had in fact renounced Islam a long time ago and then I escape punishment under Hudud. Or will I instead get charged for apostasy and get put to death for leaving Islam? So, I escape the punishment for murder under Hudud but I still die for apostasy.

So you see, PAS leaders like Nasrudin Hassan need to think things through carefully before they open their mouths or else people might start forming an opinion that all PAS leaders are outdated and narrow-minded country bumpkins.

“The existing legal system has not been successful, so there is a need for an alternative system,” said Nasrudin Hassan.

Ah, so now he whacks the system and blames that for the problems facing the country. The system is not working so we abolish the system and we replace it with another more workable system.

Is it really a system failure or an implementation (human) failure? Any system, when badly or wrongly implemented, or implemented with mala fide intent, will fail. So is it a system failure or a human failure?

A Constitutional Monarchy is good. There is nothing wrong with this system. But when it is used to topple a legitimately elected state government, like what happened in Perak, then what do we do? Do we remove the Monarchy and change Malaysia into a Republic? Do we blame the system or the manipulation of the system?

Why is the present legal system bad? And how can Hudud improve things? This is where Nasrudin Hassan needs to present his case and convince Malaysians that things would improve by removing the British system in favour of an Islamic system. By just quoting the murder of Datuk Sosilawati Lawiya as an example of a failed system without further explanation on how Hudud could have prevented her murder is a stupid argument not befitting someone of the status of a PAS Youth leader.

The failure of the present system is not because it happens to be a British system and that by abolishing it in favour of an Islamic system all our problems would be solved. The failure of the present system is because the so-called Muslims managing the system are corrupt to the core.

The Muslim political leaders are corrupt. The Muslim civil servants are corrupt. The Muslim judges are corrupt. The Muslim police officers are corrupt. The Muslim MACC officers are corrupt. The Muslim public prosecutors are corrupt. The Muslim lawyers representing criminals are corrupt and they bribe judges to fix their clients’ cases.

And so on.

It is not that there are no corrupt non-Muslims as well. There are. In fact, there are as many corrupt non-Muslims as there are corrupt Muslims. But it is the Muslims and not the non-Muslims who are asking for Hudud to be implemented so I am focusing my argument on the so-called righteous Muslims who are actually very corrupt and not righteous at all.

You mean to say that every single PAS leader and member is above corruption? Come on! Some PAS people are also corrupt. As what Ibrahim Ali said: the only difference between PAS and Umno is that the PAS people utter ‘Bismillah’ before they take a bribe whilst Umno people do not.

Malaysia can abolish the present legal system. Malaysia can adopt Islamic laws such as Hudud. But if Muslim judges, police officers, MACC investigators, lawyers and public prosecutors can be bribed to rig cases then no system in the world will work.

You mean to tell me that corrupt Muslim judges, police officers, public prosecutors, lawyers, and so on, who are involved in Hudud-related cases will not take bribes? If they normally take bribes then they will take bribes notwithstanding what the occasion is. It does not matter whether the case is under Hudud laws or common laws.

Hudud is merely the punishment. But before the criminals can be punished they must first be put on trial. For a fee the AG’s Chambers can declare that the case is NFA (no further action) because of ‘lack of evidence’. For a fee the police can declare that they investigated the case and found no evidence of guilt. For a fee the judge can declare that no prima facie case had been made against the accused and discharge the accused without the defence being called.

Can Hudud solve the crime problem when cases can be rigged and criminals can bribe Muslim officials to get off?

What about if they fabricate evidence against a political enemy of those who walk in the corridors of power and an innocent man is punished? An innocent person can face punishment if the police, AG and judge say that the person is guilty even if that person is not.

Can Hudud prevent this from happening? How can Hudud ensure that the system remains free of corruption and abuse?

Nasrudin Hassan, please study history. Once upon a time the western world also implemented God’s law. But the church was so corrupt that injustice prevailed. The church eliminated the enemies of the many kings of Europe by using God’s laws as the weapon. Innocent people suffered because they opposed the church and/or the kings. In the name of God religious people killed those who did not kowtow to the powers-that-be.

We have gone down this road before. And life began to improve only when the people revolted and overthrew their corrupted leaders and got rid of God’s laws in favour of democratic republics.

So no, the answer does not lie in God’s laws. In fact, God’s laws were actually the problem because it was so easy to manipulate the so-called Word of God and no one dared question the injustice lest they be accused of being anti-God.

If the system is not working then don’t change the system. Get rid of the people who are manipulating and corrupting the system.

For that matter, the Westminster system of government also does not seem to be working. The opposition Pakatan Rakyat garners 50% of the popular vote but can’t win 50% of the seats. Barisan Nasional can still form the federal government even if they garner only 45% of the popular vote. Pakatan Rakyat would have to garner 60% of the popular vote to be able to form the federal government.

This means, under the present system, Pakatan Rakyat can never form the federal government because it is impossible for it to garner 60% of the popular vote with the election fraud, phantom voters, postal voting, gerrymandering, and so on, going on.

So what do we do? Do we abolish general elections? If we do then how do we choose our government? Or do we just let the military run the country?

What we must do is to get rid of the corrupt Muslims heading the Elections Commission (SPR). It is the Muslims in the SPR who are the problem. And no Islamic system can improve things if the Muslims who are supposed to be the implementers are corrupt.

“We have opened up our doors to everyone including our partners in Pakatan for a discussion. I don’t think that goes against the spirit of Pakatan Rakyat that aims to form a just government,” said Nasrudin Hassan.

My dear Nasrudin Hassan, justice cannot be achieved this way. Justice, which is supposed to be the foundation of Islam, can only be achieved when Muslims can understand what the word justice means. Currently they do not.

Muslims talk about justice. But there is no justice in their hearts. Their hearts are black with injustice.

This is where the problem lies.

***********************************************

PAS Youth insists on hudud for serious crimes

(The Malaysian Insider) - The PAS Youth insisted today that the enactment of Islamic criminal laws would prevent serious crimes from taking place, reopening a controversy that broke an earlier opposition pact in 2001.

The Islamic criminal laws also known as Hudud allows for amputation and death by stoning for serious crimes, and has been a sore point among Pakatan Rakyat (PR) parties which had formed Barisan Alternatif (BA) in the 1999 elections only to see it fall apart later.

The coalition however managed to reach at its inaugural convention last year when the introduction of Hudud law was dropped from the PR’s common policy framework.

“The existing legal system has not been successful, so there is a need for an alternative system,” PAS Youth chief Nasrudin Hassan told a press conference.

He cited the gruesome murder of businesswoman Datuk Sosilawati Lawiya and three others as an example of failure of the current system. Police said the four were bludgeoned and later burnt but are awaiting forensic results before charging several suspects.

“We have opened up our doors to everyone including our partners in Pakatan for a discussion.”

“I don’t think that goes against the spirit of Pakatan Rakyat that aims to form a just government,” said Nasrudin when pointed out that the proposal for Islamic law was not part of PR policy.

“Now we are asking the government to do it. If it is proven to be successful, I don’t think anyone will oppose it including Pakatan,” he added.

Kelantan was the first state to enact Islamic criminal law when PAS took over the government in 1990. The Terengganu government under PAS also did the same in 2000, but both states have not been able to enforce the law because of doubts over the legality of the enactment.

“What was enacted in Kelantan and Terengganu maybe can be introduced at the federal level,” said Nasrudin.

“It is a comprehensive law but could not be enforced because of legal obstacles,” he said.

The Barisan Nasional (BN) has proclaimed Malaysia as an Islamic nation but has not made moves to enact hudud laws, citing the country’s multi-racial mix.

Charter 2000-Aliran condemns the unfair and unwarranted detention of cartoonist Zunar by the Malaysian government last night as it violates the basic principle of freedom of expression in a democracy.

The police have also seized seized 66 copies of Zunar’s latest book, ‘Cartoon-O-Phobia’ – a worrying testimony of the state of freedom of expression in the country. But until now, the authorities don’t even seem to be sure whether his “offence” falls under the Sedition Act or the Printing Presses and Publications Act.

Known for his wit and grit and critical observations of Malaysia’s political scene through his hilarious sketches, Zunar has always shown his determination in calling a spade a spade. He has effectively exposed abuse and corruption in a simplistic manner, which a thousand words would find difficult to achieve. He should not be penalised for doing a great service to the nation even if his views came into conflict with those of the powers-that-be.

If expressing views that are critical of the government and its policies are deemed to be an offence, then this unfortunately may be construed as a warning to not only other cartoonists but also critical political commentators, analysts and oppositionists.

Given the severe political constraints that exist in our society, we commend Zunar for his courage in soldiering on. His arrest and harassment will not deter him from his mission to expose the dirt in our political system.

Amidst this darkness, there are rays of light. We would like to congratulate the new president of the National Union of Journalists of Malaysia, journalist Mohamed Ha’ta Wahari, for being bold and brave in championing the freedom of the press in the face of criticism and political pressure from within and outside Utusan Malaysia, where he works. It is commendable that Mohamed Ha’ta has strived to be fair and independent by being equally critical of both BN and Pakatan Rakyat politicians particularly over issues relating to press freedom and freedom of information.

If a free and responsible press is the cornerstone of a democracy, then the political and legal constraints that have been placed against journalists and cartoonists, among others, must be removed to promote democracy, the free flow of information and honest journalism. In the case of Malaysia, the Sedition Act and the Printing Presses and Publications Act must be repealed.

We urge the government to release Zunar immediately and unconditionally and to show maturity and tolerance when poring over critical cartoons such as Zunar’s. A sense of humour might help to lighten up the nation!
Dr Mustafa K Anuar and Anil Netto
Coordinators
Charter 2000-Aliran

My trip into Burma was riddled with sadness. The general population live below the poverty line, and food, if any, scarce, and expensive. Fuel costs drive prices high, while healthcare, and medical services are almost non-existent. More than 35% of the Population has Fungal problems, and nearly 1.1% of the Population is HIV positive. Lack of education, and lack of any real infrastructure has driven the general well-being of the Populace spiraling downwards.

Yangon looks and feels like one big slum, and a stroll in the city of 5 million people, would either leave you completely covered in dust, or mud, depending whether it rains or not. In fact, you get to see more mud and dirt, than tarred roads in the heart of the (former) capital city.

The Junta limits "Tourists" to "Sanitized Zones", thus severely limiting the opportunity to visit the Nuclear Plants which are being built just outside Napydaw, and 3 other locations. (Napydaw, by the way, is like the PutraJaya of Malaysia) Despite sanctions against the Junta, the Military Leaders continue to relish in great wealth, and are able to splash US$50 million on the wedding of this fat girl.

Watch the full video here: CLICK ON THIS LINK. The above video, is part 1 of 24.

No UMNO person is even capable of a wedding at this kind of cost. No Ketuanan has even come close to spending that amount on their daughter's wedding. Isn't it shy that Ketuanan Burma outshines Ketuanan UMNO? Even worse, UMNO is helping the Junta sell their oil to China. They have been actively repairing the oil lines which feed the richest Oil Wells in Southeast Asia (yes, beating Brunei) to China. And now even the North Koreans are getting into the Burmese Game, by now supplying parts for their Nuclear Plants. The North Koreans use an overland route through China, to bypass any ships which may be stopped by the Embargo.

The above picture shows the plant, and the one on the right shows a bunker entrance.UMNO (via Petronas), The North Koreans, and the Burmese Junta are now new bedfellows. The three are now masturbating each other's Ketuanan. Despite Sanctions, the new bedfellows are now under Ketuanan Cheena as well. You see, China is the main buyer of Burmese oil. Once the pipes enter China, who's to know where it goes? This pipeline is constant attacked by the Shan Liberation Army. And Petronas diligently repairs it all the time for the Junta.
Read here:http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/columnists/article2577826.ece

"Two existing operations, one managed by France's Total and the other byMalaysian state oil company Petronas, provided Burma with about US$1 billion in revenues in 2005..." This US$1 Billion goes nicely to finance the 400,000 Military Troops of the Junta. As well as the Nuclear Weapons which is being built right now.

"They are funding the dictatorship," said Marco Simons, US legal director at Earth Rights International, an environmental and human rights group with offices in Thailand and Washington. "The oil and gas companies have been one of the major industries keeping the regime in power."

Now, Petronas is mainly government-owned, and by extension, public-owned so this can be interpreted as the Malaysian public giving support to the Myanmar military regime. Not the best scenario, if any Malaysian is to hold their head high anywhere.

The Junta is also showing UMNO how to run it's Government. Firstly, the November 7th Polls are openly declared as "FREE AND FAIR" by the Junta. They have now officially banned Daw Aung San Su Kyi's ENTIRE Party from running. Hence, the Junta will be the ONLY Party standing for elections. The Junta welcomes ALL International Media, and Embassies to witness the OPEN-COUNTING of the votes. Since every single Candidate is from the Junta, there is absolutely no fear of losing this elections. UMNO should learn from this idea. (There is absolutely NO NEED to bring out the mattresses) The Ketuanan Junta still has more Ketuanan than ISA.

Also, should anyone protest (like in 2009), then perhaps they should watch this 10-part Documentary on how the Junta deals with dissatisfied Opposition. Yes, even if they are Monks. And since the Junta are Buddhists, they believe that they have helped these monks achieve their Nirvana by expediting their death. Watch this part 1 of 10:
|http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEwPqNMZIhg

As a result of this, the Malaysian and her Burmese bedfellows have "agreed" to rid themselves of their problems, "so that it is mutually benefiting.." In short the US Senate Report issued on the 3rd of April (click here) details how Malaysian Officials have been selling these Refugees. The Burmese Junta has many times thanked UMNO for getting "rid of their problems". Another Video has highlighted the many numerous official news report (censored in Malaysia) (Click HERE)

The above picture show the RELA detaining Burmese Refugees before they are sold to Human Traffickers in Thailand.

The men will sell for around US$200, the women, US$300, and children are most valuable, because they can be sold as human spare Parts, go for US$400 each.Children are much preferred for organ-harvesting, because they are relatively disease-free. Their Corneas, Livers, Spleen, Heart Valves, etc are much sought after on the black-market. Most recipients never know the identity of their "donors" anyway, as the transactions kept hush-hush.

Al Jazeera has just recently run this other report (Sept 4th 2010) on how it is better for the Burmese to live in a Rubbish Dump, than to live in Burma. This report also states how people are forced to pay the Junta, monthly Bribes, or risk their children being taken away.
Watch it here:

Dear Malaysians. Your current Government is helping perpetuate these crimes against Humanity. Being anti-UMNO may be seen as being anti-Government. But once UMNO collapses, then you instantly become Pro-Government. Why are sitting on your butts, hoping that someone else would do the work for you? Is this not your country? Tell me. When would it be your turn to "jump" out of the 14th floor then? For now, Burmese blood is on your hands. Petronas is financing this Regime. Stop this madness now. Malaysia severely needs a change of Government!